Arsenal Vs Newcastle United: Predicted starting XI – Lucas Torreira, anyone?

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After calling for it throughout the first three weeks of the season, Emery finally did what almost every fan wanted: he started Alexandre Lacazette. He was rewarded. Lacazette put on a clinic of centre-forward play, scoring the winning goal as Arsenal squeezed past Cardiff on the road. It’s difficult to see how Emery could drop the Frenchman after such a phenomenal performance.

Similarly, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also won’t be dropped. The Gabonian scored his first goal of the season against Cardiff, linking up with Lacazette after collecting a lovely first-time flick, and curling a long-range shot into the bottom corner, and Emery has seemed keen to get him going.

That leaves just one more position. Both Mesut Ozil and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have disappointed in the wide-right, drifting role so far this season. One will most likely get the nod once more at the weekend. There is just one difference. Mkhitaryan has been playing with the Armenian team, playing 90 minutes against Liechtenstein and Macedonia over the international break. Ozil, on the other hand, has retired from international duty.

This is a should-win game for Arsenal. Newcastle are in poor form; the Gunners are looking to establish some momentum. It’s time for Emery to establish his starters, his best XI.